Beginning of Essay
In spite of the biographical nature of Einhard’s Life of Charlemagne, a lot can be learned about the key aspects of Frankish society. During the 8th and 9th centuries, the Franks came to dominate the European continent on the heels of imperial disintegratio ....

Middle of Essay
.... role as the political leader of the empire is one of the key factors of the success of the . The basis for Charlemagne’s power was in essence his double royal authority; not only was he the king of the Frankish Empire, but he was also crowned, Emperor of Rome. Before Charlemagne and his father, Pepin’s, reigns, basis of political authority did not lie with the king. Einhard writes, "It had really lost all power years before and it no longer possessed anything at all of importance beyond the empty title of king. The wealth and the power of the kingdom were held tight in the hands of certain leading officials of the court, who ....